The dielectric and polarimetric microwave scattering properties of snow covered sea ice

Abstract

In this thesis I investigate the dielectric and polarimetric microwave scattering properties of snow-covered sea ice. I present the first measurements of the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss for brine-wetted snow on first-year sea ice. Using these measurements, I develop empirical and semi-physical models that relate brine volume fraction and brine saturation in the snow to the dielectric properties at MHz and GHz frequencies. To investigate the polarimetric scattering properties of snow-covered sea ice, I describe the field deployment and signal processing methods for a new surface-based C-band scatterometer. Using observations of in situ microwave scattering signatures, geophysical properties and associated dielectric properties of brine-wetted snow, I describe, model and theorize on the polarimetric microwave scattering properties of snow-covered sea ice. I extend this knowledge of dielectric and scattering properties to regional-scale multipolarized SAR investigations for enhancing the discrimination of sea ice types and open water.